My Town Hero

Do you know someone in your community who goes above and beyond? Maybe they’re always helping people, or greets everyone with a smile. Perhaps they’ve beat unthinkable odds or have accomplished something exceptional.

We want to highlight them. To have your My Town Hero featured, email the following information to web@thv11.com:

Their name,

Their hometown,

Their contact information,

A photo of them, and

What makes them extra special

Include “My Town Hero” in the email subject line, and we’ll take care of publishing it for you. Their story might even be told on air by THV11's Denise Middleton.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – One man in Little Rock has started a program designed to help children become better readers. Second Baptist Church in downtown Little Rock started the MLK Reads program a year ago with the help of Minister Chris Ellis.

"We looked around and felt that third grade reading levels were connected to drop out rates, poverty rates, and incarceration,” explained Ellis. "We didn't want to just put a Band-aid on something. We wanted to get to the root causes."

According to a recent report published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, about 16 percent of children who are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade do not graduate from high school on time. That number rose to 35 percent for children who were also poor, putting them at a major disadvantage when it comes to their education.

BATESVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) - In Batesville, one woman has dedicated her life to helping children believe in themselves and lead fulfilling lives.

"When I first moved in I was scared to death,” said Jamey Vanlandingham, who first set foot on Cheyenne Ingram’s porch 7 years ago. "My parents at the time were not stable enough, and DHS stepped in. I'd gone from one place to the next.”

But this time was different.

"You walk in the door, and you immediately get a feeling like ‘I'm at home,’" Vanlandingham described, saying that Ingram welcomed him with open arms when he came to the Arkansas Sheriff's Youth Ranch in Batesville. "It wasn't like ‘Well what did you do? Why are you here?’ It was more of a ‘Well, you're one of mine now. Let’s be a family.’"

For Jamey, the ranch provided a second chance at childhood, but he wasn't alone. Cheyenne was raising several other young boys just like him who'd been abused or neglected.

JACKSONVILLE Ark. (KTHV) - Every now and then, we find ourselves stuck in a rut. One man in the city of Jacksonville has made it his duty to inspire just about everyone he encounters. It's one of many reasons he was nominated for My Town Hero.

When James Bolden is on the move, he's bound to light someone on fire with enthusiasm.

"He makes people feel motivated by his demeanor, his behavior, personality everything about him," said Jill Ross, Jacksonville human resource director. Internationally, he's known as The Motivator, but Ross also knows him as a city alderman. When employee morale was down, she knew exactly who to turn to. "He spent 15 hours of his own time training 300 city employees.”

She said Alderman Bolden spent an hour teaching them how to handle stress and stay motivated during tough economic times.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Every town has a hero with a remarkable story to tell and tonight we introduce you to one in Little Rock. Tonight's My Town Hero has gone from teaching in the classroom to teaching behind bars, helping women embark on a second chance at life.

Inside a house on Garland Street in Little Rock, healing is taking place and lives are being transformed.

"I'm learning some things about myself that's so amazing. You know my life has a purpose now," said Jeanette Hollister.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Tonight's My Town Hero is a legendary Little Rock basketball coach. He's accomplished some remarkable things on the court over the years, but it's what the Arkansas Sports Hall of Famer is doing off the court that makes him so worthy of being called a Town Hero.

This man needs no introduction. Just take a look at the plaques along his wall, and you'll know right away you're in the presence of greatness. Charles Ripley, Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director at Arkansas Baptist College, wears many hats, but the most significant pertains to meeting the needs of his young athletes.